LESSON ONE The Golden Rule References Monthly Theme Matthew 7:1–­12; Jesus calls us to serve others. The Desire of Ages, pp. 298–314, 640; Thoughts The Bible Lesson at a Glance From the Mount of Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the Mount, full of important Blessing, pp. 123–137 lessons for people then as well as us today. Finding fault with others is condemned by Jesus. He talks about trying to remove a speck in another’s eye when there is a plank in your own. He speaks of God’s generous love and the rule of His kingdom: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” Memory Verse “ ‘So in everything, This is a lesson about service. do to others what God’s generous love inspires us to treat others as we would you would have them want to be treated. This usually involves an act of kindness. do to you’ ” (Matthew 7:12, NIV). Teacher Enrichment “The Sermon on the Mount, though given especially to the disciples, was spoken in the hearing of the multitude. . . . The disciples’ place was always next to Jesus. . . . With a feeling Objectives that something more than usual might be expected, they now The children will: pressed about their Master. They believed that the kingdom was Know that true soon to be established. . . . As the people sat upon the green Christians serve hillside, awaiting the words of the divine Teacher, their hearts others and don’t were filled with thoughts of future glory. There were scribes and judge them. Pharisees who looked forward to the day when they should Feel that everyone have dominion over the hated Romans, and possess the riches is special to Jesus. and splendor of the world’s great empire. The poor peasants Respond by caring and fishermen hoped to hear the assurance that their wretched about other people and trying to hovels, the scanty food, the life of toil, and fear of want were to understand how they feel. be exchanged for mansions of plenty and days of ease. In place of the one coarse garment which was their covering by day, and their blanket at night, they hoped that Christ would give them the rich and costly robes of their conquerors. All hearts thrilled with the proud hope that Israel was soon to be honored before The Message the nations as the chosen of the Lord, and Jerusalem exalted as Jesus helps me treat the head of a universal kingdom. others as I want “Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness. In the to be treated. Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right con- ception of His kingdom and of His own character” (The Desire of Ages, pp. 298, 299).

10 LESSON ONE www.gracelink.net/primary SERVICE

Room Decorations This quarter is about Jesus. Use basic items to represent the times in which He lived. Create a flat-roofed house from a large appliance box; cover one classroom wall with paper and paint a green hillside. During the quarter you can add sheep, a lake, a cross, and a tomb to the mural.

Program Overview Lesson Section Minutes Activities Materials Needed

Welcome ongoing Greet students at none door; hear pleased/ troubled ______Readiness up to 10 A. All Eyes on Him! eye drawing, paper, markers, crayons 1 or pencils, Bibles B. Giant Hug 2 sheets of newspaper for each child, tape, scissors, arm pattern for “Giant Hug” (see illustration on p. 13), Bibles ______Prayer and Praise* up to 10 Fellowship none Any Time Songbooks Sing for Joy, He Is Our Song Mission Children’s Mission Offering box covered with gold paper Prayer none ______Bible Lesson up to 20 Experiencing the Story wooden board 2 Memory Verse chalkboard, chalk, or five pieces of yellow paper, marker, tape Bible Study Bibles ______Applying up to 15 The Way of the Golden strips of gold or yellow paper, 3 the Lesson Rule marker ______Sharing up to 15 Golden Spark gold or yellow paper; scissors; 4 the Lesson pens, pencils, or markers

*Prayer and Praise may be used at any time during the program.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON ONE 11 TEACHING THE LESSON

Welcome Welcome students at the door. Ask how their week has been—what they are pleased/troubled about. Encourage them to share any experiences from last week’s lesson study. Have them begin the readiness activity of your choice. 1 Readiness Activities Select the activity most appropriate for your situation.

A. All Eyes on Him! You Need: Post a large but simple drawing of an eye. Ask each child to copy it on their paper. • large, simple They should color the iris the same color as theirs. drawing of an eye Debriefing • paper Ask: What color are your eyes? Have children share their eye drawings. Have • markers, cray- you ever had a speck of sawdust or something else in your eye? How did it feel? ons, or ­pencils • Bibles (It hurt.) In our lesson today we will talk some more about getting something in our eye. The lesson is about how we treat others. Let’s find out how that should be from Matthew 7:12, our memory verse. Read aloud. Our message for today is:

JESUS HELPS ME TREAT OTHERS AS I WANT TO BE TREATED.

Say that with me.

B. Giant Hug You Need: Give each child two sheets of newspaper and some tape. Show them how to tape • 2 sheets of the newspapers together to make a large sheet. Have them draw “giant arms” on the newspaper for newspaper. (If possible, make a pattern of the arms at least 30 in. [75 cm.] wide out of each child heavy poster board [see illustration on page 13] for the children to trace around.) Have • cellophane them cut out the arms, and walk around giving each other a gentle hug with the news- tape paper arms. • scissors • arm pattern for “Giant Hug” Debriefing (see illustration When they are seated again, ask: What does a hug mean to you? (Someone on p. 13) cares about me.) How can you show someone else that you care about them? • Bibles (Help them; hug them; speak kindly; be respectful; pray for them, etc.) Let’s find and read our memory verse, Matthew 7:12, together. Read aloud. Today’s lesson will tell us how Jesus wants us to treat others. And that is what our message is about:

JESUS HELPS ME TREAT OTHERS AS I WANT TO BE TREATED.

Say that with me.

12 LESSON ONE www.gracelink.net/primary Prayer and Praise Any Time Fellowship Report the students’ joys and sorrows (pleased and troubled) as reported to you at the door (as appropriate). Allow time for sharing experiences from last week’s lesson study and review the memory verse. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events, or achievements. Give a special warm greeting to all visitors.

Suggested Songs “Seek Ye First” (Sing for Joy, No. 67) “We Are His Hands” (Sing for Joy, No. 129) “Make Me a Servant” (He Is Our Song, No. 126) “Pass It On” (He Is Our Song, No. 130)—theme song for the month* with these words:

It only takes a spark to get a kind act going, And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; For Jesus made the golden rule; once I experience it, I will be kind to everyone; I want to pass it on.

Mission Ask: If you did not know that Jesus gives you a happier life, would you want some- one to come and tell you? (yes) Helping others learn about Jesus is treating them the way you would want to be treated. Use a story from Children’s Mission. You Need: • box covered with gold Offering paper (Write the “gold- Say: Knowing Jesus makes us happy. We share our en rule” on it.) offerings so that others will know Jesus and be happy too.

Prayer Where all can see, make a list of blessings the children say they would like to receive. Then, in keeping with the spirit of the golden rule, draw from that list to pray for specific people the children name.

*We recommend writing the words where all can see. These words will be used as a theme song for lessons 1-4.

30 in (75 cm) www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON ONE 13 2 The rulers stood in the shade of a nearby Bible Lesson tree. Sit down? Never! Their robes might get dirty. Besides, they thought, we are bet- Experiencing the Story ter than the people sitting here. You Need: Jesus began to speak. He said, “Make • wooden board When you say: They respond by: the kingdom of God first in your life.” eye pointing to their eye Ephraim thought, The kingdom of God? What does that mean? Say: Close your eyes and try to “Don’t judge other people and you imagine that you are hiking up a hill won’t be judged yourself.” with Jesus and the disciples. You Ephraim thought of the rulers stand- are looking for a place where many ing under the tree. Those men believed people can sit down. What does your they were better than the poor. Ephraim place look like? (There is grass, rocks, wondered, Will Jesus’ kingdom include poor a few trees, and a wide space for lots people? Will there be a place for me and my of people.) What kind of people are family? present? (poor people, leaders, parents, Then Jesus taught a lesson about children, rich people, all kinds of people) finding fault and judging people. Let’s look at the scene through the Jesus said, “Why do you look at eyes of a boy about your age. We will the speck of sawdust in your brother’s call him Ephraim. eye [Children point to eye.], and pay no Have the children open their eyes as attention to the plank in your own eye? you tell the lesson story. [Children point to eye.] [Children point to the wooden board you are displaying.] How can Read or tell the story. you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the Ephraim got up just before daylight speck out of your eye [Children point to and wondered if he would be pulling eye.], when all the time there is a plank in weeds in the garden all day. But just then your own? [Point to plank.] You hypocrite his father said, “Today, we are going to (pretender), first take the plank out of spend all day listening to Jesus. your own eye [Children point to eye.], and Ephraim was happy. He had heard then you will see clearly to remove the that Jesus was the Messiah. He really speck from your brother’s eye.” [Children wanted to hear what Jesus had to say! point to eye.] Ephraim grinned as he imag- Jesus was healing people by the ined how it would look to have a big seashore. More and more people kept plank in his eye. Everyone was laughing— crowding onto the beach. Ephraim and except some of the rulers. his family hurried to find a place. They Jesus spoke of God’s love. Then He watched as some rulers arrived and announced a rule of His kingdom. “So in frowned at the crowd. everything, do to others what you would Jesus began to climb the hill away have them do to you.” from the beach. The people pushed along Ephraim looked around. Some people behind Him until they came to a quiet were still smiling. Others were not. meadow. Jesus sat down near a tree. His He understood now. In Jesus’ king- disciples stayed near Him. All around Him dom, everyone would treat everyone else people sat quietly as He began to speak. fairly. They would not find fault with each

14 LESSON ONE www.gracelink.net/primary other. Instead, they would want Jesus to quickly stand, say their portion of the verse, help them remove their own faults and and crouch down again. Continue point- You Need: help them live to serve others. ing to each group in order. Have groups • chalkboard change places and repeat. (Adapted from • chalk Debriefing Christy Weir, ed., The Big Book of Bible Games or Ask: What did Jesus mean when [Ventura, CA: Gospel Light, 1996], p. 64.) • five pieces of He said that we should take the plank yellow paper • marker out of our own eyes before looking Bible Study • tape for the speck in the eyes of others? Ask the children to find the Bible (be more concerned about my faults than texts and answer the following questions someone else’s) (adults assist as needed): In Jesus’ story, which is bigger—the 1. How did Jesus treat people, includ- You Need: plank that is in my eye, or the speck ing His enemies? (Matthew 5:44) • Bibles that is in the other person’s eye? (the 2. Why did Jesus speak so firmly to plank) Who has the bigger problem, or some of the people who were listening? fault? (me) (Matthew 7:4, 5) Remember that when you judge 3. How does God treat us when we others, you may have an even bigger pray to Him? (Matthew 7:7-11) fault than they do! It is like having a 4. Since we are part of God’s family, plank in your eye. Our message can be how will we treat everyone we meet? our guide. Let’s say it together: (Matthew 7:12; try to say at least some of this from memory.) JESUS HELPS ME TREAT ­OTHERS AS I WANT TO BE Debriefing TREATED. Ask: How do you feel about a God who treats you so well? (I love and Memory Verse appreciate Him, and want to make Him Write the memory verse on the happy by treating others as He treats me.) chalkboard or sheets of paper taped Is it always easy to treat oth- together as shown in the box: ers kindly? Why? Who will help you to treat others well, even when you “So in do to what you them Matthew don’t feel like doing so? Let’s answer everything others would do to 7:12. have you” with today’s message:

Divide the class into five groups. Each JESUS HELPS ME TREAT group crouches in front of one section of the ­OTHERS AS I WANT TO BE verse. As you point to the first group they TREATED.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON ONE 15 3 Applying the The team is unhappy about the choice because it reduces their chance of win- ning. How can you apply the golden rule? You Need: Lesson As time allows, continue by making • strips of gold your own suggestions. or yellow The Way of the Golden Rule paper 1 inch x Give each child a “golden” strip of paper. Say: This is a golden rule. Let’s Debriefing 6 inches (2 cm Ask: Have you ever been unkind to x 15 cm) write the golden rule on it: “Do to oth- someone? (yes; can’t remember, etc.) • marker ers what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12, NIV). Why is it sometimes hard to live by Let’s think about that as we look the golden rule? (Because we are naturally at some situations. selfish. That is why we need Jesus’ help.) Prepare some examples from the chil- Who will help you do what is not dren’s everyday life. Give them an oppor- natural for you to do? tunity to role-play and apply the golden Let’s read Philippians 4:13. (I can rule to each situation. Examples: do everything through him [Christ] who gives me strength.) 1. A new boy joins the Pathfinder What have you learned today Club. He is shy and doesn’t know anyone. about the golden rule? (Accept answers.) How can you apply the golden rule to How will it change the way you treat help him feel welcome and accepted? your friends this week? 2. Someone is gossiping about one Let’s say our message together: of your friends. How can you apply the golden rule? JESUS HELPS ME TREAT 3. Someone, who is not good at ­OTHERS AS I WANT TO BE sports, is chosen to be on your team. TREATED.

16 LESSON ONE www.gracelink.net/primary 4 Sharing the Lesson Ask the children to write on their spark the name of a person for whom You Need: Golden Spark they will do something special and unex- • gold or yellow Ask the children: What is a spark? pected in the coming week. paper (something small, bright, and burning that • scissors • pens, pencils, comes from a fire, or could start a fire). Debriefing or markers Help the children draw a spark on the Ask: Have you thought of some- golden or yellow paper and cut it out. thing kind that you will do for the Have each child hold their spark and person whose name is written on sit in a circle. Teach them the following your spark? (yes; not yet, etc.) song (“Pass It On” [He Is Our Song, No. Who has plans? (Accept responses.) 130]) with new words (see below). What do you plan to do? (Accept As they sing, have them pass the gold- responses.) en sparks they made to the child on their What will Jesus help you to do right and receive another spark from the all week? Let’s say our message child sitting on their left. Keep singing until together. all the children have their own sparks back. JESUS HELPS ME TREAT It only takes a spark to get a kind act ­OTHERS AS I WANT TO BE going, TREATED. And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; Closing For Jesus made the golden rule; once Invite the children to form a prayer I experience it, circle. Pray that God will help them I will be kind to everyone; treat others the way they want to be I want to pass it on. treated.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON ONE 17 STUDENT MATERIAL

arrived. The rulers frowned at the crowd. The Golden Rule Jesus began to climb the hill away from the beach. The people pushed along References Sarah frowned. The other girls in the behind Him until they came to a quiet Matthew 7:1–12; lunchroom were pointing at her and laugh- meadow. Jesus sat down near a tree. His The Desire of Ages, ing. Why were they always so unkind? disciples pressed through the crowd to pp. 298–314, 640; Then the thought came to her: What be near Him. All around Him people sat Thoughts From the would Jesus do? And she looked right at quietly as He began to speak. The rulers Mount of Blessing, those girls and smiled. stood in the shade of a nearby tree. pp. 123–137 Jesus taught that we should treat oth- Jesus spoke calmly, but so all could ers as we want to be treated. Imagine that hear. “Make the kingdom of God first in a young boy named Ephraim is listening to your life.” Memory Verse Jesus speak. Ephraim thought, The kingdom of “ ‘So in everything, God? What does that mean? do to others what Ephraim got up just before daylight. “Don’t judge other people and you you would have Would he be pulling weeds in the garden won’t be judged yourself.” them do to you’ ” today? Then his father spoke. “Today we Ephraim thought of the rulers who (Matthew 7:12, will go to listen to Jesus.” believed they were better than others. NIV). Ephraim was happy. He had heard He wondered, Could it be possible that that Jesus was the Messiah. And he really God cares about humble people? Is there wanted to hear what Jesus had to say! any place in Jesus’ kingdom for me and my The Message Jesus was healing people by the ­family? Jesus helps me seashore, and the beach was filling up Then Jesus taught a lesson about treat others as I with people. Ephraim and his family finding fault and judging people. want to be treated. hurried to find a place. They Jesus said, “Why do you look at watched as some rulers the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take out the speck,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own? You hypocrite (pretender), first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Ephraim grinned as he imagined how it would look to have a big plank of wood in his eye. Everyone was laughing— except some of the rulers. Jesus spoke of God’s love. Then He announced a rule of His kingdom. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Now Ephraim understood. In Jesus’ kingdom, everyone would treat everyone

18 LESSON ONE www.gracelink.net/primary else fairly. They would not find fault with each other. Instead, they would want Jesus to remove their faults. People would live to serve others.

Daily Activities • Think of someone you have treated unfairly. Sabbath How do you think that person felt? How did you • If possible, with your family, climb a hill and feel? Discuss this with your family. read your lesson story. Imagine that you are • Review your memory verse. sitting on the hill on which Jesus sat as He Wednesday preached His sermon. • Read and discuss Matthew 7:12 for worship. • Read Matthew 7:12 together. Read about the same idea in Luke 6:31. • Sing together “We Are His Hands” (Sing for Joy, • Have you done a kind act for the person whose No. 129). Pray that Jesus will help you not to name you wrote on the spark you made in judge others. Sabbath School? (Or make a spark-shaped cut- Sunday out and color it yellow and use it. Write on it the • Read Matthew 7:1, 2 for family worship. Then name of someone for whom you will do some- hold a family court as follows: Choose a judge. thing kind.) Choose a person to be on trial (defendant) and • Say your memory verse without help. the person bringing the charges (plaintiff). The Thursday plaintiff makes up a story about the defendant • With your family read in the Bible of someone (they didn’t do the dishes, etc.). The defendant who treated another person kindly. See must tell why they did or didn’t do what they 2 Kings 5:1–5 and Luke 10:30–35. are accused of. The judge strikes the gavel, says • Now read about someone who treated another Matthew 7:1, then says, “Next case.” person unkindly: Genesis 37:17–24; Matthew • We need to judge between right and wrong, 18:23–34. but leave judging others to God. Read 1 Samuel • How do you want to treat people? Say your 16:7 together. memory verse in your own words. Monday Friday • Read Matthew 7:3–5 with your family. Show • Use a plank and some sawdust as you tell your with your hands the sizes of a speck and a lesson story to your family at worship. At the plank. end, say the memory verse together. • Draw around a ruler on paper. Add the different • Ask your family to write on a paper the names measures. Write your memory verse on it. Then of five people they have treated fairly this week. cut it apart after each word. Mix the pieces, then • Read Ephesians 4:32. Make a small “bonfire” put them in order. Use this each day this week. from some wooden sticks (no real fire). Place the Tuesday paper spark that you made on the “bonfire” as • Together with your family, read and discuss you sing “Pass It On” (He Is Our Song, No. 130) how God treats people (Matthew 7:7–11). with the following words: • Feel a stone and a piece of bread about the It only takes a spark to get a kind act going, / same size. What is the difference? Would your And soon all those around can warm up in its parents give you a stone when you are hungry? glowing; / For Jesus made the golden rule; once Why would God do any less? Read Matthew I experience it, / I will be kind to everyone; / I 7:11 again. want to pass it on.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON ONE 19